Gamma rays

Gamma rays are another high-frequency type of electromagnetic radiation. They are penetrating and can damage living cells. Used in controlled conditions, that damage has valuable applications.

Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation, not a stream of protons, neutrons or electrons. A nucleus with excess energy can emit gamma radiation as it loses some of that energy, sometimes following another kind of decay. Thus ‘nuclear radiation’ can mean emitted particles or electromagnetic radiation from a nucleus.